Tamil language proficiency development

In February 2010, the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) in collaboration with the Official Languages Department launched a scheme to facilitate its staff to enhance their proficiency in the Tamil language.

The objective of this scheme was to provide the staff with the necessary skills in both Sinhala and Tamil languages so as to enable them to discharge their duties effectively in any part of the country. Around 200 Sinhala speaking officers of the CBSL participated in this program and the majority of the officers sat the written and oral examination conducted by the Official Languages Department in December 2010.

At the same time, the CBSL is also organizing a series of debates in the Tamil language to further develop the level of proficiency in the Tamil language of the non Tamil officers who have followed the Tamil language training programs.

The first debate of this series was held on December 22, at the CBSL Head Office. Two teams, comprising four members each, participated in the debate on the topic, Living in the village is better than living in the city. The topic was proposed by the team headed by D D A Dharmakeerthi, while the team headed by P A Samarasinghe debated against. The moderator was G Purathani.

This new initiative is expected to assist in building closer bonds amongst the staff in the CBSL, as well as set an example to other institutions in the country.